The Green Bay Packers have someone special in the form of rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden. There’s a lot more to learn in the pros for the 22-year-old wideout, but he’s been getting better and better each passing week. Last Sunday, he paced the team with 86 receiving yards despite only getting three catches and five targets from quarterback Jordan Love.
Golden’s role can be expected to expand the more experience he gets in the NFL, but that also depends on head coach Matt LaFleur, who is seemingly facing pressure from fans to get the young downfield weapon more involved in Green Bay’s offense that is putting up 26.2 points per game.
LaFleur doesn’t want to force touches in Packers offense
Sep 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (0) runs against Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (19) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
There is a growing clamor among fans about seeing the former Texas Longhorns star wideout get more looks downfield from Love. Golden has never gotten more than six targets in a game despite some injuries to Green Bay’s wide receiver room.
LaFleur, however, isn’t focused on which receiver or downfield weapon should get more or fewer looks. It’s more situational than an intentional one to get a player involved in the passing attack.
“I know everybody wants us to force-feed guys the ball, but that’s really not how we’ve done it around here, and I don’t plan on changing that,” LaFleur said (h/t Matt Schneidman of The Athletic). “That’s the beauty of having a lot of guys that we have a lot of confidence in. We have confidence that we can put anybody in the situation and try to have plays off of plays, and a lot of it is dictated off the coverages, however teams are playing us, and the quarterback’s role is to make sure the ball’s going in the right place based on what the defense presents. And whoever gets those catches, they get them.”
For Golden, his speed always gives him a chance to break away from defenders and find open spots, which also explains why he and Love have had some great plays together in the clutch.
Golden has the potential to truly become a game-changer in Green Bay’s offense, and he can continue building that case this Sunday when the Packers play the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.
Wide Receiver Matthew Golden of Texas poses after being selected twenty-third overall pick by the Green Bay Packers during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field on April 24, 2025 in Green Bay.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at@theotherRobin19 and follow us@WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports,click here!